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Monday, October 9, 2017 FOOTBALL Muharram 19, 1439 AH France on brink GULF TIMES of World Cup, Dutch hopes all but over SPORT Page 3 FORMULA ONE Results/Standings Results and Formula One world championship standings World championship after the Japanese Grand Prix standings yesterday. Drivers 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mer- 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 306pts cedes) 2. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 247 307 km in 1 h 27:31.193 (average 3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 234 Ruthless Hamilton speed: 211 km/h) 4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 192 2. Max Verstappen (NED/Red 5. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 148 Bull) at 1.211 Constructors standings 3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red 1. Mercedes-AMG 540pts, 2. Fer- Bull) at 9.679 rari 395, 3. Red Bull 303, 4. Force 4. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) India 147, 5. Williams 66, 6. Toro at 10.580 Rosso 52, 7. Haas 43, 8. Renault 5. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 42, 9. McLaren-Honda 23, 10. roars to Japan win at 32.622 Sauber 5

‘The team has done a phenomenal job, they’re just so meticulous...’ RALLYING

AFP Suzuka, Japan Qatar’s Nasser ewis Hamilton romped to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix yester- edges closer to day to close in on a fourth world Ltitle after Sebastian Vettel retired with engine failure on lap four. retaining world title The Briton dominated from pole, steer- ing his Mercedes to a crushing eighth win of the year, stretching his Formula One championship lead over Vettel to 59 points with just 100 left to play for.

The Briton dominated from pole, steering his Mercedes to a crush- ing eighth win of the year, stretch- ing his Formula One champion- ship lead over Vettel to 59 points with just 100 left to play for

“Honestly I could only have dreamed of having this kind of gap,” said Hamilton af- ter holding off a late charge from Max Ver- stappen in Suzuka. “The team has done a phenomenal job, they’re just so meticulous so a big thank Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (C) throws his winner’s trophy as second placed Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstap- you to the guys.” pen (L) and Red Bull’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (R) look on from the podium in the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at The Red Bulls of Verstappen — who Suzuka yesterday. At bottom, Qatar’s world high-jump champ Mutaz Barshim and British distance runner Mo Farah with Formula stunned Hamilton to win in Malaysia last One driver Nico Rosberg, in Suzuka, Japan. week — and Daniel Ricciardo secured a double podium for the second successive sixth for Force India. Hamilton celebrated athlete, who was watching trackside. now it’s important to get some rest and race. Valtteri Bottas fi nished fourth in the a fourth victory in Japan and a 61st career “Max drove an outstanding race and it give my all for the last four races and see By Sports Reporter gap on leader Sebastian Loeb of second Mercedes with Kimi Raikkonen’s win with a ‘Mobot’ pose, a tribute to his got very close at the end,” said Hamilton. what happens.” Doha France to 3.46 minutes. Ferrari taking fi fth and Esteban Ocon friend Mo Farah, the Olympic champion “His car was looking so big in my mir- Ferrari, who have struggled with reli- The team running under the rors. It wasn’t a walk in the park today. ability issues since the summer break, later management of Jean-Marc For- There’s still a long way to go,” added the blamed the faulty spark plug for the car’s atar star Nasser Saleh tin has already won seven rounds Briton. loss of speed. al-Attiyah edged of the series this season and al- “Anything can happen in life so I have “The misfortune of Ferrari is unbeliev- closer to retaining his Attiyah and French navigator to keep my head down and hopefully con- able,” said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff . “But Qworld title by main- Matthieu Baumel have won six of tinue to perform like this.” Lewis drove a spectacular race.” taining his second place in the those rallies in a memorable sea- Vettel’s title hopes, meanwhile, suff ered The warmer conditions were supposed OiLibya Rally of Morocco, the son thus far. a potentially fatal blow with four races left to favour the Ferraris but Hamilton ruth- 10th and penultimate round of Al-Attiyah and Baumel have following nightmare start from the front lessly converted his record-breaking pole the FIA World Cup for Cross- won the last three Moroccan row. Ferrari mechanics worked frantically position by rapidly taking a stranglehold Country rallies. rallies but face fi erce competi- on the grid to fi x a spark plug issue before on the 53-lap race. The Qatari is currently 81 tion on this occasion. While lights out and Vettel was quickly com- Verstappen raised pulses over the fi nal points clear of his nearest cham- al-Attiyah concentrates on the plaining of a lack of power. two laps but ultimately his charge was too pionship rival, Jakub Przygonski, job in hand to secure the title, The German, who fi nished fourth in little too late to prevent a fourth successive and nine points from his Mo- Overdrive Racing are runnin- Malaysia and crashed from pole in Singa- Suzuka win for Mercedes. roccan adventure would be suf- ing a further six Toyota Hiluxes pore before that, plummeted to sixth on Also in the points, Sergio Perez fi nished fi cient for him to retain his FIA for Poland’s Aron Domzala, the the fi rst lap before being told to retire the seventh for Force India ahead of the two World Cup title with a round to Dutch duo of Peter van Merk- car as Hamilton roared away into the dis- Haas cars of Kevin Magnussen and Romain spare. steijn and Bernhard Ten Brinke, tance. “It’s just a pity in the two races with Grosjean with Felipe Massa holding off Al-Attiyah won the third stage Frenchman Ronan Chabot, Dane the reliability issues,” said Vettel, who led Fernando Alonso’s McLaren to take 10th of the Morocco event yesterday Jes Munk and Chinese driver He the championship just six weeks ago. “But for Williams. and has managed to close the Zhitao.

FOOTBALL Poland head to World Cup, agony for Scotland AFP to Romania ultimately rendered the Leigh Griffi ths stroked the visi- Paris Poland celebrate their outcome irrelevant. tors into a fi rst-half lead, but Slovenia qualification for the World Cup. The Danes needed to win in Copen- equalised and then went ahead as Ro- hagen while hoping that Montene- man Bezjak netted twice after coming obert Lewandowski scored a gro could upset Poland to fi nish top of on at the break. European qualifying record Group E, but Ciprian Deac’s late equal- Robert Snodgrass handed Scotland 16th goal as Poland defeated iser cancelled out a 60th-minute pen- a lifeline with an 87th-minute equal- Montenegro 4-2 yesterday to alty from Christian Eriksen. iser, but it wasn’t enough as Scotland Rreach next year’s World Cup, but Scot- However, Denmark are at least as- finished level on 18 points with Slo- land missed out on the play-off s after a sured of a place in next month’s play- vakia but behind them on goal differ- 2-2 draw in Slovenia. off s as one of the eight best runners-up ence. Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski from the nine qualifying groups. England won 1-0 away to Lithuania struck his 16th goal of the qualifying Slovakia face an anxious wait to dis- as Harry Kane scored a 27th-minute campaign as Poland recovered from cover whether they will advance to the spot-kick won by Tottenham Hotspur throwing away a two-goal lead in War- two-legged play-off s after fi nishing sec- team-mate Dele Alli. saw to secure a fi rst trip to the World ond behind England in Group F following The in-form Kane has now scored Cup fi nals since 2006. a comfortable 3-0 win over Malta. nine goals in his last fi ve matches for Krzysztof Maczynski and Kamil Adam Nemec grabbed a brace with both club and country. Grosicki struck early as Poland made a Ondrej Duda adding a third in Trnava as World champions Germany can dream start, but Montenegro hit back Slovakia extended Scotland’s 20-year round out their successful Group C through goals from Stefan Mugosa and exile from the fi nals of major tourna- campaign with a 10th straight win at Zarko Tomasevic to pull level with just ments. home to Azerbaijan in their fi nal quali- seven minutes left. Gordon Strachan’s team arrived in fi er in Kaiserslautern. Lewandowski restored Poland’s ad- Ljubljana two points clear of Slovakia Northern Ireland, second behind vantage on 85 minutes before a late own going into the fi nal round of matches, Germany in their section, head into goal from Filip Stojkovic sealed victory, but dropped to third after being held by their game against Norway in Oslo although Denmark’s 1-1 draw at home Slovenia. guaranteed a berth in the play-off s. Gulf Times 2 Monday, October 9, 2017 FOOTBALL

QSL CUP Qatar draw with Mexico Kiberkanine treble in under-23 friendly sinks Al Khor Gharafa defeat Al Duhail 1-0, while Qatar SC and Al Sailiya play out a 3-3 draw

Qatar's national Olympic team played out a 2-2 draw against Mexico yesterday in a friendly match at Al Sadd Club's Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. The match was a preparation for Qatar ahead of the U-23 Asia Cup, which will take place in China from January 9 to 30. The Maroon have secured their place in the finals after topping their group in the qualifiers that were staged in Doha in July. Mexico's international status as one of the big teams around the world means the match was beneficial for Qatar and will reflect on the team's preparations for the finals and increase the experi- ence of the players. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil

Al Kharaitiyat's Rachid Kiberkanine (left) scores against Al Khor during the QSL Cup yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid

By Sports Reporter Tiberkanine scored his second goal, Sailiya to restore parity. Al Arabi are next up against Umm Salal Doha knocking in the rebound to the top of the Uzbek Abdukholikov scored again in on Saturday, October 14. net after an earlier save by goalkeeper the 73rd minute to give his team the lead In another match today, Al Ahli will Amine Lecomte. He had his hat-trick in but Yusuf Mohamed equalized in the 7rd clash with Umm Salal. It’s the second oroccan Rachid Kiberka- the 89th minute, scoring from the penal- minute to help Al Sailiya snatch a draw. clash between the two teams in recent nine struck a hat-trick as Al ty spot to give Al Kharaitiyat their second Meanwhile, Al Markhiya will be aiming weeks, having met in round 3 of the QSL Kharaitiyat defeated Al Khor win which puts them in a good position to to extend their winning run when they which Umm Salal won 2-0. However, this 4-2 in the QSL Cup to notch make an impact in the tournament. take on Al Arabi in the second round of time, the scenario will be diff erent as Mup their second win in the tournament. Meanwhile, Al Gharafa defeated Al Du- the QSL Cup today. Al Markhiya made a both teams know their rivals’ strengths At the Al Gharafa Stadium, Kiberka- hail 1-0 with Moayed Hassan scoring the grand start to the tournament when they and weaknesses. The big questions are nine scored the second, third and fourth only goal of the match in the 37th minute. shocked Qatar giants Al Sadd 2-0 in their ‘will Al Ahli make a turnaround or will goals for his side after Jose Mohy had giv- Gharafa thus became joint leaders with opening match last week, but Al Arabi Umm Salal continue their spark this sea- en them the lead with a fi rst-half header. Al Kharaitiyat on six points in the group. could prove to be tough opponents as son. It was the second hat-trick Al hitting the bull’s eye in the 37th minute. they are looking for their fi rst win in the Al Ahli had lost to Al Rayyan 0-2 in the Kharaitiyat had scored in the tournament In another match, Qatar SC and Al tournament. QSL Cup’s Round 1 whereas Umm Salal after Abdullah Ammash had struck one Sailiya played out a 3-3 draw. Qatar SC It will be a good platform for Al and Al Arabi played out a 1-1 draw. against Al Sailiya last week. Tiberkanine raced to a 2-0 lead with Fahad Khalfan Markhiya to test their strengths ahead These fi xtures assume signifi cance, fi rst got on the scoresheet in the 61st and Tayebi on target. of their big fi xture against Al Rayyan given that the QNB Stars League resumes minute capitalizing on a defensive lapse However Mohamed Muddather and in Round 4 of the QNB Stars League on after a fortnight-long break with Round 4 to fi nish with a superb strike. Temurkhuja Abdukholikov netted for Al Sunday, October 15. action on Saturday and Sunday.

Al Sadd lose to Trabzonspor in friendly SPOTLIGHT Salah goals take Egypt to World Cup

AFP Cairo

iverpool forward Mohamed Salah converted a stoppage-time penalty to give Egypt a dramatic 2-1 win over Congo Brazzaville yesterday and a Lplace at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Salah put Egypt ahead during the second half in Alexandria only for Arnold Bouka Moutou to equalise two minutes from the end of regu- lar time. Victory gave Egypt an uncatchable four-point lead over Uganda in Group E with one round of fi xtures remaining. Uganda were held 0-0 by Ghana in Kampala on Sat- urday. A defensive blunder allowed constant menace Salah to fi re past goalkeeper Barel Mouko on 63 minutes at the 85,000-capac- ity Borg El Arab Stadium. But Congo threatened to turn party- Egypt’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring a goal against Congo in the World Cup poopers as substitute Moutou, a France- qualifiers at the Borg El Arab stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, yesterday. (Reuters) based defender, beat 44-year-old goal- keeper Essam El Hadary from inside the to qualify was so great ahead of the Congo is the toughest stress I have faced.” box. A draw would not have been enough for match that Argentina-born Egypt coach Egypt also beat Congo away and Gha- Egypt to seal qualifi cation and they sought a Hector Cuper admitted he was taking medi- na and Uganda at home to accumulate 12 winning goal, which came when Salah sent cation for high blood pressure. points, with the only loss away to Uganda. Mouko the wrong way with his spot-kick. “I am taking hypertension medicine due Nigeria became the fi rst African qualifi ers Egypt last qualifi ed for the World Cup to the stress I suff er from continuing criti- Saturday with a 1-0 Group B win over Zam- Action from the friendly match between QNB Stars League team Al Sadd and Turkish side in 1990 with the record seven-time Afri- cism,” he told reporters without specifying bia in Uyo thanks to a goal from another Trabzonspor held in Doha yesterday. Trabzonspor won 2-1. PICTURE: Othman Iraqi can champions suff ering numerous heart- who his critics were. “Life is full of stress, English Premier League player, Alex Iwobi breaking failures since. The desperation but the challenge of reaching the World Cup of Arsenal.

FOCUS World Cup place would cap golden era for Wales, says Coleman AFP the same evening. If Serbia win, Wales will slug the Euros. I fought against that because they Welsh fans have called on Coleman’s squad done that’,” he said. “But it’s not these play- Cardiff , United Kingdom it out with the Republic for second place and hadn’t earned that tag, but they’ve earned that to rekindle the so-called ‘Spirit of ‘58’ ahead of ers, they weren’t involved in that. They haven’t the right to feature in next month’s play-off s. now. This group of players have made the diff er- their fi nal group game. The 1958 tournament in been involved in every squad for the last 50 or Whichever path Wales have to go down to make ence. “They’ve gone one step further than any- Sweden was the only previous time that Wales 60 years. What they are doing is showing that hris Coleman has urged his Wales stars it to Russia, Coleman believes his team, who one else that has gone before them, but that’s in have reached the World Cup fi nals, making it this is their time and doing the best they can for to cap their golden era by qualifying for reached the Euro 2016 semi-fi nals, are ready to the past as well. Whatever we’ve done, we’ve all the way to the quarter-fi nals before losing the nation. They are doing a great job of that and the World Cup. Coleman’s side would seize the opportunity of securing the nation’s done and it won’t help us on Monday. We can’t 1-0 to Brazil. But Coleman is more concerned will concentrate on aff ecting what is now, not seal automatic qualifi cation for next fi rst appearance at a World Cup for 60 years. be thinking that we’ve done really well, it’s gone. with making fresh history rather than banishing what happened in the past.” year’sC World Cup in Russia if they beat the Re- “The players have proven this is a golden era,” But if we keep doing what we’ve been doing, ghosts from his country’s past. “1958 is nothing Wales will again be without injured Real public of Ireland in Cardiff today and Group D Coleman told reporters. “They were labelled the that will give us a great chance of having a good to do with this squad of players. You can look Madrid forward Gareth Bale, who watched his leaders Serbia fail to beat Georgia at home on golden bunch of players before we qualifi ed for night on Monday.” back and say, ‘We’ve never done this or never teammates train in Cardiff yesterday. Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT France on brink of World Cup, Dutch hopes all but over Ronaldo's Portugal beat Andorra to set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Switzerland in Lisbon tomorrow

AFP ing Hungary 5-2. Switzerland lead Portugal by Paris three points but have an inferior goal diff erence. In Group H, Greece moved into second place with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory in Cy- laise Matuidi’s early goal saw off Bul- prus after Bosnia and Herzegovina had suff ered garia 1-0 on Saturday night and kept a stunning 4-3 home defeat by already-qualifi ed France top of European World Cup Belgium. FC Copenhagen striker Pieros Sotiriou qualifying Group A, while the Nether- put Cyprus ahead early on as they looked for a lands’B hopes are hanging by a thread despite a win to maintain hopes of a play-off place, but 3-1 win in Belarus. two goals in three fi rst-half minutes from Ko- France took the lead in only the third minute stas Mitroglou and Alexandros Tziolis sent as midfi elder Matuidi curled home a fantastic Greece two points clear of Bosnia. shot from a tight angle into the far top corner. Michael Skibbe’s side are almost certain to Bulgaria more than held their own in Sofi a, fi nish second as they host pointless Gibraltar in though, as they looked to repeat the famous win their last game tomorrow, although they could over France that sent them to the 1994 World still miss out on the play-off s as the worst sec- Cup, and Hugo Lloris was forced into a point- ond-placed team. Goals from Haris Medunjanin blank save to deny Georgi Kostadinov. and Edin Visca put the Bosnians ahead in Sara- But Didier Deschamps’s side closed out the jevo after Belgium full-back Thomas Muenier’s vital win, and three points at home to Belarus early strike, but Michy Batshuayi and Jan Ver- tomorrow would book their ticket to Russia. “It tonghen turned things around. Dario Dumic’s was a diffi cult match with lots of mistakes, com- 82nd-minute equaliser gave Bosnia hope, but mitment,” said coach Deschamps. “We’re still Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco struck fi rst — that’s important — we’ve got one match to break the hosts’ hearts. left and (qualifi cation) remains in our hands, so we have to win on Tuesday.” WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFYING RESULTS The Dutch needed a victory in Barysaw to IN THE EUROPEAN ZONE ON SATURDAY keep alive any hopes of a top-two fi nish, but Group A despite a third goal in two games from Brighton At Sofia: Bulgaria 0 France 1 (Matuidi 3) and Hove Albion midfi elder Davy Propper, Bela- At Barysaw: Belarus 1 (Valadzko 55) Netherlands 3 rus equalised through Maksim Volodjko. (Pröpper 24, Robben 84-pen, Depay 90+3) Captain Arjen Robben came to his side’s res- At Stockholm: Sweden 8 (Granqvist 10-pen, 67-pen, cue by netting a penalty with only six minutes Berg 18, 37, 54, 71, Lustig 60, Toivonen 76) Luxem- remaining, before Memphis Depay added some bourg 0 gloss in injury-time. The Netherlands are look- Group B ing to avoid failing to qualify for successive ma- At Basel, Switzerland: Switzerland 5 (G. Xhaka 18, jor tournaments for the fi rst time since 1986, F. Frei 20, Zuber 43, 49, Lichtsteiner 83) Hungary 2 having also missed out on Euro 2016. But they (Guzmics 58, Ugrai 89) now face a near impossible task, as Sweden At Andorra la Vella: Andorra 0 Portugal 2 (Ronaldo thrashed Luxembourg 8-0 earlier on Saturday, France’s midfielder Blaise Matuidi (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Bulgaria during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying match 63, Silva 86) with forward Marcus Berg scoring four goals, at The Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Saturday night. (AFP) At Torshavn: Faroe Islands 0 Latvia 0 to extend their advantage over Dick Advocaat’s Group H men on goal diff erence to 12. Trailing the Scan- them stumble to a 2-0 win and set up a winner- avoid collecting a yellow card that would have was decisive for us in this match, but that’s why At Nicosia: Cyprus 1 (Sotiriou 18) Greece 2 dinavians by three points, only a massive victory takes-all showdown with Switzerland in Lisbon seen him suspended for tomorrow’s game, is he’s the best player in the world. On that type of (Mitroglou 24, Tziolis 26) over Sweden in Amsterdam next week will save tomorrow. The European champions had to wait now level on 15 goals for the campaign with Po- pitch, we were not able to really play our game, At Sarajevo: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 (Medunjanin 30, the three-time World Cup runners-up. until the 63rd minute for Ronaldo to break the land’s Robert Lewandowski, a record for Euro- but we took advantage of the best player in the Visca 39, Drumic 82) Belgium 4 (Meunier 4, Batsh- Portugal struggled for long periods in An- deadlock on the artifi cial pitch, before Andre pean World Cup qualifying. world.” uayi 59, Vertonghen 68, Carrasco 83) dorra, needing the rested Cristiano Ronaldo Silva fi nally put their nerves to bed. Real Madrid “Thank God that he scored,” said Portugal Steven Zuber scored twice in Basel as Swit- At Faro, Portugal: Gibraltar 0 Estonia 6 (Luts 10, Käit to come on as a half-time substitute and help star Ronaldo, who started on the bench to help coach Fernando Santos. “Cristiano Ronaldo zerland made it nine wins from nine by thrash- 30, Zenjov 38, Tamm 52, 65, 77)

Spain’s Lopetegui puts politics FOCUS aside ahead of Israel game Costa Rica clinch WC berth with Honduras draw Jerusalem: Spain coach Julen Asked about the potential im- Lopetegui sought yesterday to pact of the political turmoil on AFP into the box where Hernandez con- downplay the potential impact the squad, Lopetegui repeated San Jose nected with a thundering header to of the Catalan independence earlier comments downplay- put the visitors in front. bid on his team, ahead of the ing the issue. “We are trying to Costa Rica, with 16 points, joined final game of their success- prioritise the collective feeling endall Watson’s header deep Mexico (21) in advancing from the ful World Cup qualification of the team,” he said. into injury time gave Costa North and Central America and Car- campaign. “We are putting at the serv- Rica a 1-1 draw with Hondu- ibbean (CONCACAF) region with Lopetegui spoke in Jerusa- ice of the team the individual ras on Saturday and a berth three fi nal matches to play tomorrow. Kin the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Three CONCACAF teams advance lem ahead of Spain’s match quality of all that they have. It against Israel today, while in is obvious that we are a het- Eddie Hernandez had headed Hon- directly to the fi nals in Russia with a Barcelona hundreds of thou- erogeneous group of players duras ahead in the 66th minute, and it fourth to play off against either Syria sands of demonstrators rallied and what we want is to create appeared that Costa Rica would have or Australia for a berth. against plans by separatist a homogenous group.” to put their Russia plans on hold. The United States moved into third leaders to declare Catalonia in- Sergio Busquets is expected But fi ve minutes into stoppage place on 12 points on Friday with a 4-0 dependent following a banned to earn his 100th cap today, time, Watson rose in the centre of the romp over Panama. Panama are on 10 secession referendum. and Lopetegui hailed the Bar- area to head in Bryan Ruiz’s cross and points in fourth and have the advan- Gerard Pique, the celona midfielder. “ spark joyful celebrations at the Na- tage on goal diff erence over Honduras, Catalan centre back, has faced Bussi is a player at the high- tional Stadium in San Jose, where the also on 10. CONCACAF’s six-nation criticism and even booing from est level, with maximum pro- match was postponed from Friday due fi nal round of qualifying concludes Spanish fans after backing the fessionalism, but he is a player to the eff ects of Hurricane Nate. tomorrow, when the United States referendum. who respects his position and Costa Rica had a golden chance travel to lowly Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, who qualified on Fri- he is a very important player.” to take the lead in the 60th minute. Honduras host Mexico and Panama day after beating Albania, play Busquets, who like Pique is Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escober host Costa Rica. Costa Rica will be their final qualifier against al- Catalan, has said very little had pushed a shot back into the mid- playing in their fi fth World Cup fi nals. ready eliminated Israel and are about the potential independ- dle of the area only for Marcos Urena They were quarter-fi nalists in Bra- one of the favourites for next ence. Pique will miss today’s to fi re over the empty net. zil in 2014 and reached the knockout summer’s World Cup in Russia. match as he is suspended. Costa Rica’s Kendall Waston (left) ecstatic after netting an equaliser against Honduras dur- Six minutes later, Romell Quioto stage in Italy in 1990. The Ticos also ing their World Cup qualifier in San Jose on Saturday night. (AFP) sprinted down the wing and crossed played in 2002 and 2006.

WORLD CUP QUALIFER Iwobi sends Nigeria to Russia, Ghana eliminated

AFP still pip them to top spot in Group E, with originally won 2-1 by Bafana Bafana that was Abuja both facing away trips next month. Uganda, annulled over match manipulation by the who were promised $3,000-a-man to beat Ghanaian referee. DR Congo’s 2-1 win in Lib- Ghana, created the better fi rst-half chances ya ensured Group A will go down to the wire, lex Iwobi’s goal saw Nigeria become in Kampala but William Kizito spurned the although Tunisia need only a point at home the fi rst African team to qualify for best of those. to Libya to secure qualifi cation after Youssef next year’s World Cup in Russia, Derrick Nsibambi could have headed the M’Sakni’s hat-trick fi red them to a 4-1 win at while Ghana were eliminated in the Cranes ahead in the 64th minute, but some- Guinea. qualifiA ers. A 73rd-minute strike by Arsenal how missed the target from inside the six- In Group C, Khalid Boutaib’s hat-trick forward Iwobi handed the Super Eagles a 1-0 yard box. South Africa recorded their fi rst win sent Morocco top with a 3-0 win over Gabon, success over Zambia in Uyo, ensuring top in Group D with a 3-1 success against Burkina who were eliminated. Ivory Coast dropped to spot in Group B with a game to spare. Faso despite losing Bongani Zungu to a red second after drawing 0-0 in Mali on Friday “It was my goal to qualify this team to an card in the second half for retaliation. but they host Morocco in a winner-takes-all amazing tournament like the World Cup,” Bafana Bafana raced to a 3-0 fi rst-half lead clash next month. said Nigeria captain Mikel Obi. “I’m proud with a highly controversial Percy Tau goal, to captain this team of great players and followed by strikes from Themba Zwani and RESULTS coaches. My wife is Russian and she and the Sibusiso Vilakazi. Burkina Faso’s consolation GROUP A kids will be in Russia to cheer us at the World was a superb free-kick by Bertrand Traore At Conakry: Guinea 1 (Keita 37) Tunisia 4 (Msakni Cup.” three minutes from time. 45+2, 75, 90+4, Ben Amor 84) Nigeria now have 13 points with second- Senegal top group D after late goals from At Monastir, Tunisia: Libya 1 (Al Musrati 69) placed Zambia on seven. Cameroon are on Diafra Sakho and Cheikh N’Doye earned Democratic Republic of Congo 2 (Bakambu 50, six points after defeating Algeria 2-0. Ghana, them a 2-0 win at Cape Verde. They now Mubele 75). Note: match moved from Libya for quarter-fi nalists at the 2010 World Cup in need to win one of next month’s double- security reasons South Africa, were eliminated after managing header against South Africa to qualify, but GROUP B only a goalless draw in Uganda when needing all four teams remain in contention. Senegal At Uyo, Nigeria: Nigeria 1 (Iwobi 73) Zambia 0 a win to keep their slim hopes alive. It meant have eight points with Burkina Faso and Cape At Yaounde: Cameroon 2 (Njie 25, Pangop 88) Egypt joined Nigeria with 2-1 victory at home Verde on six and South Africa on four. Algeria 0 to winless Congo in a late match last night. Senegal and South Africa have an extra GROUP C Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi (centre) celebrates after scoring the winner against Zambia during the World Cup Failure to do so would mean Uganda can game left because they must replay a match At Rabat: Morocco 3 (Boutaib 38, 56, 72) Gabon 0 qualifying match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday night. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Monday, October 9, 2017 SPORT

RUGBY FORMULA ONE Rosberg feels for the F1 fans aft er Australia beat Ferrari failure

Reuters Hamilton also felt for a rival suf- Suzuka fering through no fault of his own. “I was excited to have a good race with Sebastian here but he’s errari’s continuing reli- been incredibly unfortunate,” Argentina to fi nish ability woes have robbed said the Briton. Formula One fans and Vettel blamed Sunday’s prob- Mercedes of the thrilling lem on a humble spark plug, an Fbattle they had been hoping for, item costing little more than last year’s world champion Nico small change on a car packed Rosberg said yesterday. with millions of dollars worth of The German, who had to fi ght cutting edge technology. down to the last race before se- It was his third setback in as runners-up curing his title, expressed dis- many races, with the four-times appointment at the latest in a champion crashing out on the Argentina finished bottom after losing all six championship matches sequence of setbacks for Ferrari’s opening lap in Singapore and leading contender Sebastian then starting in last place in Ma- Vettel. laysia due to engine problems in Vettel returned to the pits and qualifying. stepped out of the car after four Vettel had won the season- laps of the Japanese Grand Prix, opener in Australia in March and leaving Lewis Hamilton to win led the championship until Italy for Mercedes and forge 59 points at the start of September. clear with four races remaining. “If four races ago I would have Depending on results, Hamil- told you that Sebastian is going ton could win his fourth title at to DNF (not fi nish) two times the next race in the United States and not score well one time, you on Oct. 22. would have said that’s almost “For all of us F1 fans we wanted impossible,” said Mercedes team to see the big action out there and boss Toto Wolff . with Sebastian having a problem The Austrian went to the Fer- straight off the start, that’s not rari pit wall after the race to com- really what we want to see,” said miserate with his rivals. Rosberg, at Suzuka as a pundit “The Ferrari guys certainly feel for Sky Sports television. awful at the moment,” he told “But it’s also not what Mer- Sky. cedes want to see because they “I get on very well with them want to win after a great battle. and with (principal) Maurizio And Lewis as well. (Arrivabene) and it’s not a situa- “Lewis is a fi ghter and he tion you want to be in. would love to have that great “Maybe it’s a development battle with Seb and come out on slope of the team, they made a top. But that’s the way it is and huge step forward from 2016 to that’s the way racing is,” added 2017 and their car is super-fast, the German, who retired in De- it just lacks reliability and that is cember. the next step.”

SPOTLIGHT Vettel reprimanded for anthem absence

Reuters Suzuka

ebastian Vettel is one race reprimand away from a 10-place grid penalty after Formula One stew- ardsS punished the Ferrari driver Australia’s Jack Dempsey in action with the ball against Argentina on Saturday. for missing the national anthem at Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix. AFP losses for 15 points. rican Elton Jantjies. Foley converted his own try 13 minutes The German’s absence was Mendoza, Argentina Argentina fi nished bottom after losing Foley opened the scoring at the into the second half but the Pumas again understandable given the com- all six championship matches and failing 40,000-capacity Estadio Malvinas Ar- got back on level terms, with centre San- motion around his car on the that happened on the track, was to secure any bonus points for the fi rst gentinas in the west of the country by tiago Gonzalez Iglesias scoring a convert- starting grid as the Italian team’s Vettel’s fi rst of the season. ustralia scored 17 unanswered time since joining the southern hemi- slotting a close-range penalty on 15 min- ed touchdown. mechanics hurried to fi x a spark There are two types of rep- points in the last quarter of the sphere competition in 2012. utes. But as the second half progressed, the plug problem with the clock rimand, for driving and non- match to beat Argentina 37-20 Australia triumphed despite a mixed Australia increased their lead to 8-0 Wallabies steadily began to dominate ter- ticking. driving off ences, with three rep- Saturday in the fi nal game of the kicking performance from star fl y-half when winger Marika Koroibete raced ritory and possession, opening up cracks With the issue unresolved, rimands in a season triggering an 2017A Rugby Championship. Bernard Foley, who came into the match over for his third try in two Tests before in the Argentine defence. the four times world champion automatic 10-place penalty for Scrum-half Will Genia and winger on a streak of 18 successful kicks at goal. Argentina hit back with a try from lock Genia scored just past the hour and retired from the race after just the next race. Reece Hodge both scored late tries as the He slotted his fi rst attempt, then Matias Alemanno. Foley, who had rediscovered his accura- four laps with his title hopes in The penalty, however, is only Wallabies pulled away to snuff out any fl uff ed four in a row before regaining his Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez landed a cy, converted then added a penalty after tatters. imposed if at least two of the chance of another Argentine comeback composure and nailing the next four for conversion then added a penalty to briefl y a dangerous tackle saw Argentine lock The setback left Mercedes’ three reprimands were for a after the Pumas had clawed their way a 17-point personal tally that included a put the Pumas in front. Marcos Kremer yellow-carded. race winner Lewis Hamilton 59 driving infringement. back to 20-20. try. Genia threw a long pass from a maul Hodge then went over after a brilliant points clear at the top with four Vettel already has one driv- The result enabled Australia to leapfrog It lifted his championship total this and Hodge darted over unchallenged as pass by replacement centre Samu Kerevi races remaining. ing reprimand, imposed at the South Africa and fi nish runner-up to New season to 80 points, making him the the Wallabies regained the lead but a late just before being bundled into touch and The non-driving reprimand Monaco Grand Prix in May for Zealand in the fi nal championship stand- leading individual scorer ahead of New Sanchez penalty tied the scores at 13-13 at the Foley conversion wrapped up a con- for the rules breach, as opposed crossing the yellow line at the pit ings with two wins, two draws and two Zealander Beauden Barrett and South Af- halftime. vincing triumph. to one handed out for something lane exit during qualifying.

BOTTOMLINE GYMNASTICS Britain’s Whitlock, Japan’s QGF offi cials tour of the Shirai defend world titles

AFP Dolgopyat Artem by 1.1 with her second consecutive wom- Montreal American Moldauer Yul third en’s vault world crown with Montreal Olympic stadium on 14.500. 14.850 points, beating Ameri- Defending world champion can Carey Jade. Swiss Giulia By a correspondent ritain’s Max Whitlock Shirai, a Rio Olympic cham- Steingruber took third, just.01 Montreal captured his second pion in the team event who also ahead of Canada’s Elsabeth consecutive pommel took a bronze medal last year in Black. Paseka, 22, won at Glas- horse title and Japan’s the vault, became the young- gow in 2015 and was second in he Qatar Gymnas- KenzoB Shirai took his third floor est man to win a floor exercise the event at last year’s Rio Ol- tics Federation (QGF) exercise crown as defending world crown four years ago at ympics after placing third at the warmed up to host the champions dominated Satur- Antwerp with a title at age 17, 2012 London Olympics. next edition of the FIG day at the World Gymnastics then followed up with another The injury-hit event con- TArtistic World Championships Championships. world gold in 2015 at Glasgow. cludes Sunday with the last in- after their delegates were taken All five apparatus titles de- Greece’s Eleftherios Petrou- dividual apparatus finals. on an extensive tour of the Ol- cided at Montreal’s Olympic nias, the reigning Olympic Romania’s Laris Iordache, a ympic Stadium by the FIG and Stadium went to those who had champion, won his second two-time world all-around me- Local Organising Committee taken crowns in 2015 at Glas- consecutive world rings crown dalist, tore an Achilles tendon offi cials here on Saturday. gow in the previous edition of with 15.433 points, downing warming up for floor exercise The QGF members includ- the worlds. Russia’s Denis Abliazin by.10. before qualifying on Wednesday ing its President Ali Ahmed al- Whitlock, the reigning Ol- China’s Liu Yang was third on — three days after Japanese su- Hitmi were shown the facilities ympic champion, defended his 15.266,.008 ahead of France’s perstar Kohei Uchimura pulled at the ongoing 47th FIG Artistic title with 15.441 points to 15.100 Samir Ait Said. out of the men’s qualifying with World Championships, which for Russia’s David Belyavskiy. Chinese 17-year-old Fan Yi- torn ligament in his ankle. will get over on Sunday. China’s Xiao Ruoteng was lin, who shared the 2015 world In Uchimura’s absence, “Aspire Dome boasts of world third,.034 further adrift. uneven bars crown with three China’s Xiao Ruoteng won the class facilities. We just need to The 24-year-old Englishman, rivals, put herself alone atop men’s all-around title while add some more seats to accom- also the reigning Olympic fl oor the event by taking the title US teen won the women’s all- modate the fans,” said al-Hitmi. appealing while the event web- cidentally will be the fi rst in the Gymnastics is one of the exercise champion, was third at again with 15.166 points,.066 around crown. From the marketing aspect, site will be launched soon. region. most active sports in Qatar, Rio in the all-around and took ahead of 16-year-old Russian US standout Ragan Smith, the QGF has done its bit to Doha has been hosting the With the support of Qatar with the federation organises 2012 London Olympic bronze in Elena Eremina, who was third who suffered a right ankle liga- promote the event during the FIG Artistic World Cup se- Olympic Committee (QOC) several school and club-level team and pommel horse. in Friday’s all-around compe- ment injury on a warm-up vault championships here by putting ries for the last 10 years now, and other stakeholders, Doha programmes besides hosting a Shirai, third in Thursday’s tition. Belgium’s Nina Derwael Friday before withdrawing from up a stall on the fi rst fl oor of the and that will give them a lot of promises to produce one of the couple of important FIG courses men’s all-around competi- was third on 15.033, earning her the all-around, also pulled out impeccable stadium. confi dence and experience on best World Championships next and programmes for the coach- tion, kept his crown with homeland’s first world medal. of Sunday’s women’s floor ex- The competition logo looks hosting a mega event, which in- year. es. 15.633 points, defeating Israel’s Russia’s Maria Paseka won ercise final. Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB NBA Suns Hall of Famer Hawkins dies at age 75 Nationals level series The Sports Xchange tweeted: “Gonna miss the Washington Hawk! Legend! RIP.” Mavericks guard Curry all of Famer and out with left leg injury Phoenix Suns star Dallas Mavericks guard Seth forward Connie Curry, the younger brother of Hawkins, who played NBA champion Golden State with Cubs, Dodgers sevenH seasons in the NBA, has Warriors star Stephen Curry, died at the age of 75. will be sidelined indefi nitely Hawkins, nicknamed “The with a left leg injury, the Mav- Hawk” and a Brooklyn play- ericks announced Saturday. ground legend, played four The expected Mavericks All-Star seasons with the backcourt starter has suff ered a Suns from 1969 to 1973. He left tibia stress reaction and will also played for the Los Angeles be re-evaluated in a week, the beat D’Backs again Lakers and Atlanta Hawks. club holding out hope he can The Suns, who retired be ready when the new season Hawkins’ number 42 jersey, opens in just under two weeks. ‘Going down 0-2 going into their place would be tough. Needless to say, big win’ announced Saturday that he Curry, 27, is the son of passed away on Friday. former NBA sharpshooter Dell AFP “’The Hawk’ revolutionised Curry. He enters the fi nal sea- Washington the game and remains to this son of a two-year deal worth day an icon of the sport and $6 million after averaging 12.8 one of basketball’s great in- points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.7 yan Zimmerman and novators,” the Suns said in a assists a game last season for Bryce Harper blasted statement. “His unique com- Dallas, all career highs. home runs in the eighth bination of size, grace and He connected on 48.1 per- inning to rally the athleticism was well ahead of cent of his shots from the WashingtonR Nationals over the its time and his signature style court, 42.5 percent from World Series champion Chicago of play is now a hallmark of the 3-point range, as the Mav- Cubs 6-3 Saturday to level their modern game. ericks went 33-49, fi nishing Major League Baseball playoff “Connie’s passion for the eight games out of a Western series. game was only matched by Conference playoff berth. Harper belted a two-run his desire to give back to the Seth Curry had prior NBA homer to equalize for the Na- Phoenix community, a role stops with the Memphis Griz- tionals at 3-3 and Zimmerman which he played proudly as zlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, delivered the winning blow by a Suns community ambas- Phoenix Suns and Sacramento smashing a three-run homer sador, spreading warmth and Kings before joining the into the left-fi eld stands. kindness to everyone he en- Mavericks. “We’ve been struggling to countered. We will miss Hawk Meanwhile Utah Jazz guard score some runs. We kind of dearly. Our thoughts and Dante Exum suff ered a sepa- busted out that inning,” Zim- prayers go out to his family and rated left shoulder and liga- merman said. “The timing was friends as we mourn the pass- ment damage in a preseason huge.” ing of a true Suns legend.” game Friday night and report- The Nationals and Cubs are The 6-foot-8 Hawkins edly could miss the entire sea- 1-1 in the best-of-fi ve National averaged 16.5 points, 8.0 re- son. League division series, which bounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 After an MRI revealed the shifts to Chicago’s century-old steals during his NBA career. injury, Jazz offi cials and doc- Wrigley Field for games on Mon- Before joining the NBA at tors were meeting Saturday day and Tuesday. age 27, Hawkins played two to discuss a plan of action on “You don’t want to go down seasons in the American Bas- recovery and rehabilitation, 0-2. Obviously a huge win,” ketball Association, winning league sources told ESPN’s Zimmerman said. “Going down the league title and MVP hon- Adrian Wojnarowski. 0-2 going into their place would ors with the Pittsburgh Pip- The 22-year-old Exum, a be tough. Needless to say, big ers in 1967-68. He also played native of Australia, was the win.” four seasons with the Harlem fi fth overall pick in the 2014 Washington’s Adam Lind sin- Globetrotters in the 1960s. draft. gled in his fi rst playoff appear- He became the fi rst Suns Exum averaged 6.2 points, ance to set the stage for Harper’s player to be enshrined in the 1.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds in towering two-run homer to right Basketball Hall of Fame in 66 games (26 starts) last sea- fi eld off Cubs relief pitcher Carl 1992. Suns great Steve Nash son. Edwards to lift the Nationals level. It was Harper’s fi rst homer Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman celebrates with Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (left) after his 3-RBI in two months. home run during the eighth inning in game two of the 2017 NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park. (USA TODAY Sports) “I was trying to get a pitch I could drive and I got one. I got scored two runs, drove in one pretty lucky,” Harper said. “For and stole a base for the Dodgers. us to come back and win that ball Yasiel Puig, who drove in two game like that, pretty incred- runs in Friday’s win, had three ible.” hits and drove in two runs. The series winner will face After Brandon Drury pulled either the Los Angeles Dodgers the Diamondbacks to within two or Arizona Diamondbacks for a runs with a three-run pinch-hit berth in the World Series. homer in the seventh, Dodgers The Dodgers rallied for an 8-5 closing pitcher Kenley Jansen home victory over the Diamond- entered the game with one on backs to take a commanding 2-0 and one out in the eighth and lead in their series. retired all fi ve hitters he faced to Austin Barnes delivered a seal the win. two-run double as part of a four- The Dodgers will try to fi nish run fi fth inning for Los Angeles, off the series in Arizona today. who were down early after Ari- The American League play- zona’s Paul Goldschmidt belted off s resume yesterday with the a two-run home run off Dodgers Cleveland Indians at the New starting pitcher Rich Hill in the York Yankees and Houston As- fi rst inning. tros at Boston Red Sox, each vis- Logan Forsythe, again get- iting squad needing a victory to Minnesota Timberwolves’s NBA player Tyus Jones (left) slam ting the start at second base complete a series sweep. dunks during the NBA Basketball Game against Golden State over Chase Utley, had three hits, Los Angeles Dodgers Austin Barnes hits a 2-RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks. (USA TODAY) Warriors in Shanghai yesterday. (AFP)

NHL Maple Leafs win a wild one in home opener

By Steve Zipay “We have to realize you’ve got quickly: Former Ranger Dominic er of hope, which carried into Newsday to defend fi rst, we’re not going Moore tipped Nikita Zaitsev’s the second period, but in the to win games like this. It’s going wrister from the point at 2:30. end, the Blueshirts didn’t have to be a long season if we play like J.T. Miller answered on assists enough. n a wild game where goals this.” from Chris Kreider, who had In the third, a tip by Tyler Bo- poured down like rain, the Lundqvist’s reactions were driven to the net, at 3:42. The zak in front made it 6-5 with Rangers lost, 8-5, to the Ma- late, and his body language poor. Leafs then scored four straight, 12:43 left. Vigneault challenged ple Leafs for their second Although he was betrayed at starting with Zach Hyman’s the call as off side, but the goal Istraight defeat to start the season. times by his defense, Lundqvist scoop of a breakdown in the stood, and under the new rules, The Rangers rallied from a stopped just 13 of 18 shots in the off ensive zone, and a deke to the Leafs were awarded a power 5-1 fi rst-period defi cit to tie it fi rst period. He was pulled after stretch Lundqvist to the right play. Komarov’s goal was the at 5 after Henrik Lundqvist was that and Ondrej Pavelec replaced post before sliding the puck un- dagger on a night when there chased. With the scored tied him to start the second. Pave- der his glove at 5:34. were a lot of wounds on each side. at 5 after 40 minutes, the Leafs lec, making his fi rst appearance On a power play, defense- Nazem Kadri wrapped it up scored twice - with the fi rst as a Ranger, who made 11 saves man Jake Gardiner waltzed with a power play goal at 18:30 coming after an off side chal- in the second with Lundqvist on past Brendan Smith high in the on the 41st shot by the explosive lenge by coach Alain Vigneault the bench as the Rangers battled Rangers zone and came in alone Leafs, who managed to recover that was denied and triggered back with three goals for a 5-5 tie. for an unassisted score at 11:07, as the Rangers faded. a power play that ended with a Not only did he switch goalies, and Zaitsev collected his second second goal by Leo Komarov – Vigneault also shuffl ed lines and point, a goal at 13:59. RESULTS sealing the Rangers fate. defensive pairs. For example, J.T. Hyman then outbattled two Capitals 6 Canadiens 1 The Maple Leafs, who had Miller moved to center between Blueshirts behind the net, and Golden Knights 2 Coyotes 1 (OT) scored seven goals in their open- Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash. came around to jam a puck that Penguins 4 Predators 0 er against Winnipeg, unleashed From the left circle on the Michael Grabner apparently Maple Leafs 8 Rangers 5 another barrage – fi ve goals power play, Mika Zibanejad cut jabbed through a kneeling Lun- Kings 4 Sharks 1 worth – in the fi rst period. It the Leafs’ lead to 5-3 with this dqvist at 17:19 to make it 5-1. The Canucks 3 Oilers 2 was the fi rst time Lundqvist had third power-play goal of the sea- Blueshirts and Lundqvist looked Blackhawks 5 Blue Jackets 1 allowed fi ve in the fi rst period son, helped by another assist for dazed and confused. Flyers 3 Ducks 2 (OT) since Dec. 16, 2006, also against Shattenkirk at 7:43. With 23 seconds left in the Blues 4 Stars 2 the Leafs. Marc Staal scored his fi rst of New York Rangers celebrate a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their NHL game at the Air Canada fi rst, Kevin Shattenkirk’s long Red Wings 2 Senators 1 (SO) “It was an embarrassing start, the season, when he hung in the Centre in Toronto. (Getty Images/AFP) power play fl oater with Kreider Panthers 5 Lightning 4 we showed some character in the slot and redirected a pass from screening Frederick Andersen Flames 6 Jets 3 second period, but I mean, we Zuccarello to trim the margin to Miller at 14:06. The play was his fi rst game wearing an ‘A’ on four points (goal and three as- made it 5-2. It was his second Islanders 6 Sabres 3 let in eight goals, that’s not our 5-4. Zuccarello’s tip then knot- reviewed but Zuccarello’s stick his jersey, Zuccarello established sists). point as a Ranger and 300th of Hurricanes 5 Wild 4 (SO) identity,” Mats Zuccarello said. ted the score at 5 from Staal and was ruled under the crossbar. In a single-game career-high with The Leafs windfall started his career. That brough a fl ick- Devils 4 Avalanche 1 Gulf Times 6 Monday, October 9, 2017 SPORT

GOLF/ ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETICS Rupp, Dibaba win Chicago Marathon Hatton holds off AFP Morocco-born Khalid Khan- Chicago nouchi in 2002. Kenyans had won the Chicago men’s title in 13 of the past 14 years. alen Rupp became the Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto, fi rst American man world record holder from his in 15 years to win the 2014 Berlin Marathon triumph Chicago Marathon in 2:02:57 and the 2013 Chica- record-breaking Gyesterday while Ethiopia’s go champion, led at the half- Tirunesh Dibaba, a three-time way mark in 1:05:49 but be- Olympic champion, captured gan limping soon after and by the women’s crown. 25km was off the pace for good. It was only the fourth ca- The lead pack slowly dwin- reer start at the 26.2-mile dled over the next 10km, (42.16km) distance for Rupp, leaving only Rupp, Kirui and who was second in April’s Bos- Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma after Fisher to win title ton Marathon and third in last 22 miles. Rupp, who took 2012 year’s Rio Olympics, and just Olympic silver at 10,000m, ‘It is an unbelievable feeling as this week was the first time I had ever defended a title’ the third marathon for Dibaba, made his charge with three a former world and Olympic miles remaining and no one AFP 5,000 and 10,000m champion. had a response. Kingsbarns, United Kingdom Rupp surged ahead for good Dibaba vowed to challenge with three miles remaining to the women’s course record win in 2hrs 9mins 20secs with of 2:17:18 set by British world ngland’s Tyrrell Hatton Kenyan runner-up Abel Kirui, record holder Paula Radcliff e became the fi rst player the defending champion, 28 in 2002 and was on that pace in to successfully defend seconds back and Bernard the early going. the Alfred Dunhill Links Kipyego, also of Kenya, third in Dibaba led after 5km in ChampionshipE as he shot a fi nal- 2:10:23. 16:08, 19 seconds under Rad- round 66 at St Andrews to retain Only one rival remained cliff e’s course record pace, and the title yesterday. with Dibaba past the halfway had trimmed the fi eld in the Hatton, who turns 26 next mark as this year’s London lead pack to only fi ve. Saturday, did not drop a shot Marathon runner-up cruised Florence Kiplagat’s 10km over his last 54 holes, a blistering to victory in 2:18:31, defeating time of 32:28 was also 19 sec- run that gave him a second ca- Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei by 1:51 onds faster than Radcliff e’s reer Tour title and will lift him to with American Jordan Hasay record split but by 15km it was 22nd in the world rankings. third in 2:20:57. Hasay, third this year in Bos- “It is an unbelievable feeling Dibaba and Rupp each took a ton, leading in 49:02, three as this week was the fi rst time $100,000 top prize at the 40th seconds under record pace. I had ever defended a title, so it anniversary edition of the Dibaba led at the halfway mark felt like it was a lot harder win- classic, which saw more than at 1:08:48, well off Radcliff e’s ning this year than it was last 40,000 runners compete on record pace, but made another year,” he said. the streets of the US Midwest- charge that left only Kosgei on “I’m so happy that I managed ern metropolis. Rupp, 31, was her heels. The Kenyan fell back to get over the line. the fi rst American man to win with 10km remaining, leaving “I know one thing also that the Chicago Marathon since Dibaba alone to the end. this is one big, heavy trophy. My left arm is going to be sore to- morrow.” Sandhu takes fi rst Asian Tour win in Taiwan Hatton fi nished 24 under par overall to win by three strokes India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu shot a able to focus on my own my from record-breaker Ross Fisher. two-under-par 70 to claim his game. I was just trying to hit England’s Fisher produced first Asian Tour victory at the the next shot the best that I a new Old Course record of an Yeangder Tournament Play- could and I won.” 11-under par 61 to fi nish in sec- ers Championship in Taiwan He became the tenth first-time ond place at 21-under par. yesterday. Asian Tour winner in 2017. He was staring at the fi rst- Sandhu edged American Veerman almost forced a play- ever score of 59 on the European Johannes Veerman to the title off when his eagle chip on the Tour when he sent his drive just after trading three birdies 18th hole hit the pin but ended short of the green at the last. against one bogey and ended up a runner-up for the second But, needing to hole his eagle with a total of 11-under-par 277 time in his career on the Asian putt for the 59, Fisher left his at the Linkou International Tour. second a few feet short of the Golf and Country Club. Local star Lu Wei-chih, who hole. He birdied all but two of “I’m still shaking from the last came back following brain his outward nine holes and then putt but now that I’m thinking surgery in 2012, posted a managed four birdies in succes- about it, it is absolutely amaz- 72 to finish third after firing sion from the 12th over his in- ing,” Sandhu said. four birdies against as many ward half. “I’m proud of myself that I was bogeys. “I’m gutted I missed that England’s Tyrrell Hatton celebrates winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with the trophy. (Reuters) one on the last but it’s just one of those days as I felt like I was I played amazingly like the rest “My last round of 2017 sort of (KB), 67 (S), 66 (S); Robert Rock 277 - Graeme McDowell 69 (S), playing alright but I’m not going of the week but today it feels like summed up all of 2017,” he said. 71 (C), 68 (KB), 69 (S), 66 (S); 71 (C), 70 (KB), 67; Nino Bertasio to complain too much with a 61,” all the putts went in,” he said. “Not much happening, good Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 70 (S), 67 (ITL) 70 (S), 69 (C), 71 (KB), 67 Fisher said. England’s Tommy Fleetwood or bad. Just sort of stuck in neu- (KB), 66 (C), 71 (S) (S); Haydn Porteous (RSA) 74 Frenchman Victor Dubuisson continues to lead the Race to tral. Yeah, hasn’t been the year I 275 - Oliver Fisher - 68 (S), 71 (C), (C), 71 (KB), 65 (S), 67 (S); Connor stormed his way to third place in Dubai, after recording a last-day wanted on the golf course.” 71 (KB), 65 (S); Eddie Pepperell Syme 72 (C), 70 (KB), 69 (S), 66 recording a 63 for 17-under par 69 for a 10-under par tally and 72 (C), 69 (KB), 69 (S), 65 (S); (S); Brandon Stone (RSA) 71 (S), and his best fi nish in 11 months a share of 25th place. And four- Final round leading scores Alexander Levy (FRA) 70 (C), 69 67 (C), 71 (KB), 68; Marcel Siem since tying for third at the Ned- time major winner Rory McIlroy 264 - Tyrrell Hatton - 68 (S), 65 (KB), 68 (S), 68 (S); Paul Dunne (GER) - 69 (KB), 66 (S), 74 (C), bank Challenge in South Africa. ended his fi rst winless season (C), 65 (KB), 66 (S) 67 (S), 68 (C), 70 (KB), 70 (S) 68 (S); Romain Wattel (FRA) 70 The 27-year-old capped his since 2008 with a closing 72 for a 267 - Ross Fisher - 71 (S), 68 (C), 276 - Ben Evans - 69 (C), 68 (KB), (C), 68 (KB), 70 (S), 69 (S); David round with seven outward-half distant share of 63rd place. 67 (KB), 61 (S) 72 (S), 67 (S); Matthew Fitz- Drysdale 69 (C), 67 (KB), 72 (S), birdies. McIlroy will now take three 271 - Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 74 patrick 73 (S), 68 (C), 68 (KB), 68 69 (S); Kiradech Aphibarnrat India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu poses with the trophy after winning “It was very special because it months off before returning to (C), 66 (KB), 68 (S), 63 (S) (S); Stephen Gallacher 72 (KB), (THA) - 70 (KB), 66 (S), 71 (C), Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Taiwan yesterday. was at the end of my season, and competition in mid-January. 274 - Marc Warren - 70 (C), 71 67 (S), 70 (C), 67 (S) 70 (S)

SPOTLIGHT Qatar ‘2’ in Grand Front Osaka Open final AZF prepares for 5th edition of Qatar Strongest Man By Sports Reporter Doha

spire Zone Foundation (AZF) announced that competitors who are looking for a chance to showA off their skills and strength can now register to partake in the renowned clash of the giants in the Qatar Strongest Man com- petition. Now in its fi fth year, men aged 18-year-old and above will be selected through rigorous tests to showcase their strength and endurance in a series of chal- lenges during a two-day event This file picture shows Christopher Oketch of Kenya, the winner of the fourth edition of Qatar Strongest in two categories: the “Open” Man competition, during his successful attempt to pull a cargo truck. competition for members of the community, and the “Qatari higher level, thus, extending the health and physical tests where fi ed to the fi nal stage where Fa- only” competition on the No- challenge over two days in two the fastest participant to com- had al-Haddad (Qatar), and vember 24 and 25. categories”, he said. plete 200kg-weight lifts and Christopher Oketch (Kenya) “AZF has decided to take in “I call on those who never a 20m Farmer’s Walk carrying emerged as champions. more participants this year to participated to come and put 120kg weights in each arm will On the days of the competition, expand interest and to promote their hidden powers to the test in qualify to the fi nal round. AZF will also organise a series of the culture of physical activ- a very entertaining and compet- The big day will include chal- accompanying community ac- ity amongst members of the itive environment at Aspire Zone lenges such as cargo truck pull- tivities for all family members to community”, Ibrahim al-Hilal, Foundation. I am sure we will see ing, heavy sand bag lifting, gi- enjoy as they watch participants. Member of the QSM organising new faces this year competing ant wheel fl ipping, and Farmer’s Activities will include a fan zone committee, said. for the title of the strongest man Walk carrying heavy weights in and a playing area for kids, as well Qatar ‘2’ beach volleyball team of Julio Cesar Do Nascimento and Ahmed Tijan entered the final “The 2016 edition generated in Qatar,” Al-Hilal concluded. each hand. Last year’s edition as a variety of local food and bev- of the AVC Beach Tour’s Grand Front Osaka Open defeating Indonesia ‘1’ (2-0) in Japan yesterday. very positive feedback, and the Following registration, en- was an unprecedented success erage stands. Those interested in Qatar ‘2’ will play against Indonesia ‘2’ in the final. Meanwhile, the Qatar ‘1’ team of Jeff erson Santos surge of QSM popularity has en- trants will be invited to go attracting more than 131 en- participating can register online Perreira and Cherif Younousse defeated Indonesia ‘1’ in the third place match. couraged AZF to take rivalry to a through a series of rigorous trants. However, only 14 quali- via: www.lifeinaspire.qa Gulf Times Monday, October 9, 2017 7 SPORT

CRICKET Wahab strikes but Sri Lanka in command of second Test Pakistan dismissed for 262 in their first innings, conceding a big 220-run lead following Sri Lanka’s first innings 482

AFP a batting friendly Dubai Stadium pitch, Dubai losing their last six wickets for 82 runs. It was 21 runs short of the follow-on mark but Sri Lanka did not enforce it. aceman Wahab Riaz took three Ali and Sohail lifted Pakistan from wickets in a fi ery spell but Sri a precarious 109-4 during a battling Lanka were still in the driving fi fth-wicket stand of 71, but once Ali seat after the third day of the was gone the innings unfolded. Herath Psecond day-night Test in Dubai yes- trapped Ali leg-before and reviewed it terday. Riaz grabbed 3-10 to derail Sri to overturn a not-out decision, trigger- Lanka’s second innings — 34-5 at close ing the collapse. Ali hit six boundaries — but the visitors were still in a strong in his patient knock. position with an overall lead of 254 runs Sohail was the eighth wicket to fall, with fi ve wickets intact. trapped in front by Perera to end any Riaz dismissed Sri Lankan skip- hopes of Pakistan reaching a respect- per Dinesh Chandimal leg before for able total. He smashed four boundaries nought in the last over before close to and two sixes. Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed give Pakistan a faint hope of upsetting made 14 before he miscued a sweep the tables, but it will be an uphill task and was caught off Perera. When Pa- for their faltering batsmen to improve kistan resumed at 51-0, paceman La- in the second innings. Pakistan were hiru Gamage who took his fi rst wicket dismissed for 262 in their fi rst innings, in Test cricket, bowling Shan Masood conceding a big 220-run lead follow- through the gate after the opener had ing Sri Lanka’s fi rst innings 482. It made 16. Sami Aslam was trapped leg was paceman Mohammad Abbas who before by Perera for 39 to leave Pakistan started the slide, having opener Kaush- two down with 65 runs on the board. al Silva caught behind for three before Asad Shafi q fell for 12 when he edged Riaz dismissed fi rst innings centurion Lakmal to slip to continue his wretched Dimuth Karunaratne for seven. form in the series. Babar Azam made He then had debutant Sadeera Sama- eight. Lakmal fi nished with 2-41 while rawickrama out for 13 in a hostile spell Gamage had fi gures of 2-38. of 3.3 overs. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah had nightwatchman Suranga Lakmal SCOREBOARD out for one as Pakistan started to stage SRI LANKA I INNINGS 482 a fi ghtback. At close Kusal Mendis was PAKISTAN I INNINGS (OVERNIGHT 51-0) unbeaten on eight. Shan Masood b Gamage 16 Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Suranga Lakmal celebrates with teammates after dismissing Pakistan opener Sami Aslam during the third day of the second Test at the Dubai Sri Lankan spinners Dilruwan Perera Sami Aslam lbw b Perera 39 International Stadium in Dubai yesterday. (AFP) (3-72) and Rangana Herath (3-84) had Azhar Ali lbw b Herath 59 bundled Pakistan out just after dinner Asad Shafiq c Mendis b Lakmal 12 Mohammad Abbas not out 1 Bowling: Lakmal 17.3-5-41-2, Pradeep K. Mendis not out 8 Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Silva), 2-22 (Karu- to put Sri Lanka in sight of a series win. Babar Azam c Samarawickrama b Herath 8 Extras: (b4, lb2, nb4) 10 9-2-21-0, Gamage 15-2-38-2 (3nb), Perera S. Lakmal lbw b Shah 1 naratne), 3-26 (Samarawickrama), 4-33 They won the fi rst Test by 21 runs in Haris Sohail lbw b Perera 56 Total: (all out; 90.3 overs) 262 26-3-72-3, Herath 23-2-3-84-3 D. Chandimal lbw b Riaz 0 (Lakmal), 5-34 (Chandimal) Abu Dhabi. Sarfraz Ahmed c Mendis b Perera 14 Fall of wickets: 1-61 (Masood), 2-65 SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS Extras: (lb1, nb1) 2 Bowling: Abbas 4-2-6-1, Shah 7-2-17-1, Riaz Only Azhar Ali (59) and Haris Sohail Mohammad Amir lbw b Herath 7 (Aslam), 3-92 (Shafiq), 4-109 (Azam), 5-180 D. Karunaratne b Riaz 7 Total: (for five wkts; 14.3 overs) 34 3.3-0-10-3 (1nb) (56) off ered some resistance as the Pa- Yasir Shah b Lakmal 24 (Ali), 6-199 (Ahmed), 7-214, (Amir), 8-220 K. Silva c Ahmed b Abbas 3 Still to bat: N. Dickwella, D. Perera, R. Match situation: Sri Lanka lead 254 runs kistani batsmen once again fl opped on W Riaz c Samarawickrama b Gamage 16 (Sohail), 9-250 (Riaz) S. Samarawickrama c Ahmed b Riaz 13 Herath, L. Gamage, N. Pradeep with six wickets intact

SECOND TEST QSRF honours Qatari sailors aft er Rabada skittles Bangladesh to their triumph in Kuwait Regatta Doha: The Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF) yes- terday felicitated Abdulrahman spearhead South Africa’s win al-Nasr and Fares al-Bakri after they won gold in the Laser 4.7 and Laser RDK events at the 10th Kuwait International Regatta. The sailors were honoured at the federation’s headquarters in the presence of QSRF chief Ab- dullah al-Sulaiti and other board off icials. Al-Sulaiti expressed his happiness with the results of the federation’s sailors in Kuwait and credited Qatar Olympic Commit- tee (QOC) President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani for his overwhelming support to the federation. He said the achieve- ment was possible thanks to the eff orts of the off icials, coaches and players of the federation, praising al-Nasr and al-Bakri for their hard work. “The success of the Qatari sailors proves that the federation is on the right track. QSRF’s aim is to develop the sailing and row- ing sport in Qatar and create a platform for new generations to win titles for the country,” al-Su- Al-Nasr was satisfied with his aren’t many Qatari sailors, hop- laiti said. He was confident that achievement in the Laser 4.7 ing that his win will attract new al-Nasr and al-Bakri will develop category. “The competition was players. their skills in the future and win a chance to develop my skills On the other hand, Fares more medals nationally and and continue to prepare for the al-Bakri said: “Sailing is a unique internationally. “The federation Asian Sailing Championship to sport. It develops your personal- has many players who require be held in Indonesia in 2018. I ity as you have to take tough support and encouragement in hope to continue to do well for decisions in a pressure situa- South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took five for 30 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 172 in the second innings Bangladesh in order to develop their skills and my country,” he said, tions. Winning gold in the Laser Bloemfontein. Rabada, 22, who had match figures of 10 for 63, became the youngest of 16 South Africans to take 100 Test wickets. (AFP) be able to achieve more titles for The 15-year-old sailor said he RDK will work as a motivation to the country in the future,” QSRF became interested in the sport achieve more be it nationally or AFP cheered during a bright fi fth wicket stand of for 11, while Mahmudullah was hit by Olivier president noted, as it was diff erent and there internationally.” (QNA) Bloemfontein, South Africa 43 between Mahmudullah, who top-scored before he had scored. with 43, and Liton Das, who made 18. But their team gave them little else to applaud. SCOREBOARD ast bowler Kagiso Rabada led a ruth- Rabada and Duanne Olivier were aggressive SOUTH AFRICA I INNINGS 573-4 DECLARED SPOTLIGHT less bowling performance as South from the start of play, when Bangladesh re- BANGLADESH I INNINGS 147 Africa completed an innings and sumed on seven for no wicket. BANGLADESH II INNINGS (OVERNIGHT 7-0) 254-run win on the third day of the They sent down numerous short-pitched Imrul Kayes c De Kock b Olivier 32 secondF Test against Bangladesh at Man- deliveries and three batsmen were struck Soumya Sarkar c Du Plessis b Rabada 3 gaung Oval yesterday. It was the biggest on their batting helmets, including cap- Mominul Haque c Maharaj b Rabada 11 Tougher challenges lie win in South Africa’s Test history, surpass- tain Mushfi qur Rahim, who had lengthy Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Parnell 26 ing the innings and 229 run victory over Sri treatment on the fi eld after ducking into a Mahmudullah c Elgar b Rabada 43 Lanka in Cape Town in 2000/01. bouncer from Olivier with his score on 11 Liton Das b Phehlukwayo 1 8 Rabada took fi ve for 30 as Bangladesh soon after the mid-morning drinks break. Sabbir Rahman c Du Plessis b Phehlukwayo 4 ahead, says Du Plessis were bowled out for 172, a slight improve- He was hit on his helmet near the temple Taijul Islam b Rabada 2 ment on their fi rst innings of 147 in reply area. Rahim was dazed and lay down next to Rubel Hossain b Rabada 7 AFP provement on their fi rst innings of 147 in reply to to South Africa’s 573 for four declared. Ra- the pitch while the Bangladesh team physi- Subashis Roy not out 12 Bloemfontein, South Africa South Africa’s 573 for four declared. “We had really bada, 22, who had match fi gures of 10 for 63, otherapist and South African team doctor Mustafizur Rahman b Phehlukwayo 7 good targets that we wanted to achieve in this series became the youngest of 16 South Africans attended to him. Extras (lb6, n1) 7 and we achieved those hands down,” said Du Ples- to take 100 Test wickets. He was playing in He carried on batting for another 50 min- Total (42.4 overs) 172 outh African captain Faf du Plessis admit- sis. “It gives us a lot of confi dence but we appreciate his 22nd Test. Only Vernon Philander (19) utes until he was leg before wicket to Wayne Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Sarkar), 2-29 (Mominul), ted that tougher challenges lay ahead — but that India and Australia are going to be a lot tougher. and Dale Steyn (20) of his compatriots have Parnell for 26 in the last over before lunch. 3-63 (Kayes), 4-92 (Rahim), 5-135 (Das), 6-139 said a record win over Bangladesh had given Bangladesh possibly didn’t have the fi repower that achieved the feat in fewer matches. Rahim was stretchered off the field after (Mahmudullah), 7-145 (Sabbir), 8-145 (Taijul), his team confi dence ahead of series against we thought they would have in these conditions.” It was Rabada’s third 10-wicket haul in being hit behind the left ear by a bouncer SIndia and Australia later in the season. Fast bowler Du Plessis said big hundreds and important part- 9-156 (Hossain) Tests. He took his tally of Test wickets in from New Zealand’s Tim Southee in Wel- Bowling: Rabada 11-1-30-5, Olivier 11-1-39-1, Kagiso Rabada led a ruthless bowling perform- nerships from the batsmen and a relentless bowl- 2017 to 54, the most by any bowler this year. lington in January but was released from Maharaj 6-1-30-0, Parnell 5-0-31-1, Phehlukwayo ance as South Africa completed an innings and 254 ing onslaught had been as much as could have been It was another poor performance by Bang- hospital the same day. 9.4-2-36-3 (1nb) run win midway through the third day of the sec- expected from the team. “We appreciate that we’ve ladesh on a pitch which had bounce but was Mominul Haque was hit by a bouncer Result: South Africa won by an innings and 254 ond Test at Mangaung Oval yesterday to complete still got a lot of work to do to be the fi nished article not especially bowler-friendly. from Rabada two balls before hooking the runs a crushing 2-0 series win. Rabada took fi ve for 30 but if we do get better we’ll be challenging for that A small group of Bangladesh supporters same bowler to be caught at deep square leg Series: South Africa won two-match series 2-0 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 172, a slight im- (ICC) number one ranking again.”

Monday, October 9, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

ASPIRE TECH Tech giants collaborate to shape future of sports By Our Correspondent opment Executive, IBM, Sports and tomate, accelerate and enhance the London Entertainment Practice, said: “It was ability to predict potential security great to see Aspire Academy bring so threats. many clubs and organisations from He said: “It is vital that the sports orld leaders in technol- around the world together to network industry uses technology as a force ogy have praised the and exchange ideas. We all need to for good and uses emerging technol- success of an event in work together to create awareness and ogies to try to interact with audienc- London, organised by educate people about the possibili- es and predict future threats to help WAspire Academy and focused on the ties for technology to make improve- create an environment for everyone latest innovations shaping the future ments in sport – from the fan experi- to enjoy sport safely and securely.” of sport. ence through to stadium security and Ryan Bowd, Consultant, Josoor In- The 2nd Aspire Tech event took legacy.” stitute, said: “The quality of speak- place on Friday at Chelsea FC’s iconic Aspire Tech was attended by del- ers was very impressive. To get three Stamford Bridge venue. egates from across the world. Over of the biggest tech companies in the Supported by Microsoft, CISCO, two sessions held on Friday, some world together on the same panel is IBM, Philips and Honeywell, top- of the best minds in the digital and incredible. Events like Aspire Tech ics at this year’s conference focused technology industries discussed sta- are so important because it is only on innovation and best practices in diums, the fan experience and im- through inclusivity that we are all disruptive technologies and creating provements to security. going to move forward to be success- modern, digital and interactive sta- Francesco Norante, Head of Stra- ful. Technology has such an impor- dium experiences for fans. tegic Marketing, Sports & Major tant role to play in improving sport, In London, William Kopp, Di- Events, Leonardo Security & Infor- and sharing is key to this.” rector of Architecture, Innovation, mation Systems, said: “In the future, Looking ahead to the next event, Sports and Entertainment at Cisco, it will be diffi cult for one tech com- Krishnakumar Kottekkat, Man- said: “The only way that you can do pany to do everything, so we need to ager of IT Strategy and Operation something with data is by gather- combine and collaborate. We have at Aspire Zone, said: “Our ambition ing it and studying it. So events like built good relationships at Aspire is to make Aspire Tech the world’s Aspire Tech, where we can have an Tech and it’s crucial for companies to number one forum for industry lead- open dialogue and confront issues, keep coming together to share think- ers to challenge themselves, to share are one of the ways to make change ing and envisage what’s next.” information and innovate for the fu- happen. It takes a leader to do this, Michael Hershman, Group CEO ture.” Kottekkat went on to say: “We and we are seeing that from Aspire of the International Centre for Sport want thank the sponsors, speakers Academy when it puts events like this Security (ICSS), spoke about how and everyone that took part and we together.” emerging artifi cial intelligence and look forward to hosting you at the Experts in discussion during the Aspire Tech event in London on Friday. The event was focused on the latest innovations shaping John Short, Global Business Devel- predictive technology can help au- next event.” the future of sport.

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Garcia stuns new No. 1 Halep to win in Beijing Nadal ‘destroys’ AFP couldn’t believe I was in the fi - Beijing nal.” With rain teeming down out- side ahead of what turned out to nseeded Caroline Gar- be a cracker, a leak in the Diamond cia of France won her Court stadium roof had threat- second title in as many ened to dampen proceedings. But weeks as she stunned that was soon fi xed and there was agitated Kyrgios Unew world number one Simona little between the two players un- Halep in the closely fought fi nal til Garcia broke Halep in the 10th of the China Open yesterday. game to grab the fi rst set. Garcia is in the form of her The 26-year-old Halep had life and edged out the Roma- the superior mobility – Garcia nian second seed 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) had her right thigh strapped – to add the China Open to the but the French player was mak- Wuhan Open title she lifted last ing the better shots. to win China Open weekend, making it fi ve WTA One forehand winner was crowns in all. Garcia’s feat was greeted with gasps from the ‘I don’t know, I just got super frustrated. I obviously didn’t react professionally. Obviously that’s all the more remarkable because mostly full arena in Beijing. she was carrying a leg injury The second set was even more why I got a warning. But, that didn’t really matter today. He played well, I played terrible’ that has required frequent on- competitive and the attritional court treatment and completed seventh game turned out to be a a mammoth three-set quarter- turning point. Garcia was 0-40 fi nal win well past midnight on down on her own serve until Friday evening. dragging it to 40-40 and then The 23-year-old, who is set saving half a dozen break points to rise from number 15 to nine in before somehow winning the the world, sank to her knees on game to go 4-3 up. the hard court when she fi nally The duo raced into the tie sealed victory in the second-set break, but Garcia now had the tie break. “I was like, seriously, momentum and she held her this really happened?” Garcia nerve to make it a Wuhan-Bei- said afterwards, asked what was jing double. in her mind when she slumped to Garcia said she was still her knees. pinching herself. “It was such an amazing two “It’s just amazing, it’s diffi cult weeks, it went so fast, I have the to put words on what I’m feeling feeling I started these tourna- right now,” she said. ments yesterday or two days ago. Despite her disappointment “To play every single day, it Halep - thanks to reaching the was just after every match you fi nal - will offi cially become had to forget about what hap- world number one for the fi rst pened and be on the present time when the latest rankings are again. Even this morning I out this week.

Caroline Garcia of France kisses the trophy after winning the final against Simona Halep of Romania at the China Open in Beijing. (AFP)

Goffi n claims Japan Open title Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with the trophy after winning the final against Nick Kyrgios of Australia at the China Open in Beijing yesterday. (AFP) Belgium’s David Goff in beat Adrian Mannarino of France in straight AFP cas Pouille, but was never re- a fourth career title, said he had beat Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay Chinese teenager and will take sets to win the Japan Open yesterday, his second victory in consecu- Beijing ally in trouble as Kyrgios’s fi nal been “destroyed” by Nadal. 6-7(7) 6-4 6-4 in the opening on Japan Open winner David tive weeks. Fourth seed Goff in prevailed 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 24 hopes evaporated in acrimony. “I don’t know, I just got super round of the Shanghai Masters Goffi n of Belgium in the round minutes against the unseeded Mannarino in the final at the Ariake The 22-year-old Australian frustrated,” he said. yesterday to set up a fi rst time of 32. Coliseum, capturing his fourth career title. afael Nadal won his was upset with a call in the fi rst “I mean, I obviously didn’t clash with world number one Simon’s compatriot Pouille, It was Goff in’s second straight final at the Japan event after he went sixth title of another game and appeared unable to let react professionally. Obviously Rafa Nadal. who won the Stuttgart Open down last year to Australia’s Nick Kyrgios. remarkable year by it go after that, earning a warn- that’s why I got a warning. But The 20-year-old hit 14 aces and Hungarian Open earlier Mannarino, who defeated Croatian top seed Marin Cilic in the semi- beating an agitated ing and then a penalty point. I mean, that didn’t really matter and saved all of his eight break this year, eased past Russian Da- finals on Saturday, temporarily took the initiative in the second set af- NickR Kyrgios at the China Open “I have lot of respect for Nick, today. He played well, I played points to beat 31-year-old Cue- niil Medvedev 6-4, 6-2 and will ter being overmatched in the first. But Goff in, 26, persistently closed yesterday, while unseeded he’s one of the players with more terrible. He’s in great form, he vas. Donaldson will be joined face Fognini, who came back up and eventually went past the Frenchman after breaking at 5-5. Caroline Garcia stunned the talent on the tour,” Nadal, con- just destroyed me today.” by France’s 15th-seeded Lucas from a set down to beat Span- “It wasn’t easy,” Goff in said afterwards. new number one. sidered one of the best players Asked how his latest indiscre- Pouille, Gilles Simon and Ital- iard Fernando Verdasco 2-6, “The final is always tough, to manage the emotions before and dur- The 16-time Grand Slam ever, said. tions might be viewed, Kyrgios ian Fabio Fognini in the second 6-4, 6-2. ing the match,” he said, according to the ATP World Tour. champion Nadal saw the Aus- Nadal added that he hopes the replied with disdain: “I don’t re- round. Miami Open semi-fi nalist “At the end I started to be a little more aggressive on the return of tralian Kyrgios hit with a penal- temperamental Kyrgios, ranked ally care. “You want to play against Fognini will be looking to add to serve, and I was pleased to come back and break him at 5-5.” ty point as the Spanish number 19 in the world, will one day ful- “Like, I mean, I lost a tennis the best and see how your game his Swiss Open triumph in July Goff in also won last week, at the Shenzhen Open. one eased to a 6-2, 6-1 victory fi l his potential. match, man. Who cares? Why stacks up. Playing against some- after losing the St. Petersburg “I got the break in the second set but couldn’t hold my serve,” Man- on the Beijing hard courts. “The feeling is if he really are we focusing on that? one like Rafa is really special. fi nal to Bosnian Damir Dzumhur narino said. Nadal, for whom this was wants to play and wants to work, “Look at what happened in “If I lose, it will allow me to last month. “The quality of the game was really good but I wasn’t good enough a landmark 75th ATP crown, he is one of the players that have Vegas a couple days ago. Really, know what was my game is lack- Ninth-seeded Spaniard Rob- compared to him,” he said. came to the Chinese capital on more talent to achieve a lot of we’re going to talk about it?” ing,” Donaldson said after the erto Bautista Agut, Argentinian “I’ve had a pretty good season, definitely my best so far.” the back of winning his third US things in this sport,” said Nadal, match. Juan Martin del Potro, Briton The Japan Open has been played since 1972. Previous winners Open. The 31-year-old saved who will go immediately on next Donaldson beats Cuevas to World number 45 Simon Kyle Edmund and Russian teen- include a roll-call of the game’s greats, including Ken Rosewall, John two match points in his nervy to the Shanghai Masters. set up Nadal clash in Shanghai eliminated wild card Wu Yibing ager Andrey Rublev will play McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. opener against Frenchman Lu- Kyrgios, who was going after American Jared Donaldson with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the their fi rst round matches today.